Tatiana Boyko: Artist Interview

We’ve whisked ourselves off to the capital of Spain to catch up with Tatiana Boyko and talk influence, inspiration and a love of the natural world - which has recently seen her illustrating the wayfinding aspects of the Natural History Museum’s newly redesigned gardens.   

It’s many years now since a younger Tatiana Boyko introduced herself to CIA as an art school undergraduate. Her work felt so resolved and sophisticated that we took the unusual step of offering her a place in the agency before she’s actually completed her studies. Currently based in Madrid, she grew up in a culture-hungry household that informed and shaped her creative direction from an early age. “My path wasn’t something modeled for me by my parents - my father is an engineer, and my mother a mathematician, but I’ve always felt that she has a creative soul. She was very engaged with the arts, always taking me to galleries, museums, and exhibitions. We’d have discussions about literature, poetry, film, ballet, and opera—it was a rich, nourishing environment to grow up in. So, while they weren’t artists themselves, their love for culture undoubtedly influenced my creative journey.”

Art school inevitably followed which, in turn, further nurtured Tatiana’s love of art in its many forms. "When you’re on a creative path, you tend to find people along the way who uplift and encourage you. For me, that started with my partner, who I met in my second year of university. We both shared a deep passion for illustration, and that connection has been incredibly supportive throughout my career. Friends from uni, my masters course leader, and my agents have all played important roles as well. I’ve always felt encouraged and reassured that I’m on the right path, thanks to the people around me.”

"My cultural background has undoubtedly shaped my artistic voice. I’ve always been inspired by the rich heritage of Russian folk art, like the decorative style of khokhloma, as well as the works of children’s illustrator Ivan Bilibin and the vivid paintings of Boris Kustodiev. The boldness of Soviet graphic design has also left a lasting impression on me. All these influences have woven together to form the foundation of my artistic style."

Flora and fauna has become a prevalent visual theme in her work. As much as she’d love to find a space to work in the countryside, nestled in a forest ("The idea of being surrounded by nature, with fresh inspiration right outside my door, is a dream. It would allow me to immerse myself fully in the natural world and translate that energy into my work), for now she’s based in her cozy, light filled urban studio space - more often than not in the company of her cat.

In that studio the pencil remains the fundamental tool for getting things off the ground. "Whether I’m making notes, jotting down quick ideas, or sketching out the composition for an illustration, the first step always starts with a pencil. It's the foundation of my creative process, allowing me to explore and experiment before bringing any piece to life.”

And while Tatiana has a healthy list of future creative collaborations in her back pocket, including homeware collections and Fortnum’s hook-ups, she’s recently worked on a particularly inspiring brief with a particular bastion of culture she’s long loved. "One of my favourite projects has been working with the Natural History Museum. Collaborating with such a prestigious and historic institution was a truly inspiring experience. We worked on a series of illustrations for the newly refurbished gardens’ information panels. The museum has always been a source of inspiration for me, from Alfred Waterhouse’s architectural details to the rich plant and nature displays. To now have my work permanently on display there, accessible to the public, feels like a full-circle moment that I’ll cherish for years to come."

See more fresh and beautiful work by Tatiana here.

 

 

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